If you’re a parent of a baby or toddler, you know how quickly toys can take over your home. The toy clutter can pile up fast between birthdays, holidays, and those irresistible sales. Figuring out how to organize too many toys can feel like an uphill battle—but it doesn’t have to! With some planning and innovative strategies, you can bring order to the chaos and create a play space that works for your family.
In this post, I’ll share practical parenting tips to help you purge, clean, and organize all those toys. Whether you’re dealing with tiny blocks underfoot or stuffed animals in every corner, I’ve got you covered!
Parenting is busy enough without feeling buried in clutter. Let’s tackle this together so you can enjoy more playtime and less cleanup!
Ready to reclaim your space? Keep reading for tips to simplify, sort, and store toys in ways that work for your family!
How to Organize Too Many Toys
Now that we’ve all agreed toy clutter can get a little out of hand, let’s dive into some simple solutions. The good news is that organizing doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it just takes a few thoughtful steps to make a big difference. From easy purging tips to clever storage ideas, these tricks will help you reclaim your space and make cleanup a breeze. Let’s get started—you’ve got this!
Start with a Decluttering Session
Before you start organizing, it’s vital to tackle the toy overload itself. Purging might sound intimidating, but it’s just about letting go of what your child no longer needs or uses. Once you clear out the extras, it’s so much easier to keep everything tidy. Let’s break it down step by step!
Assess the Situation
If your child just got new toys for a birthday or holiday, it’s the perfect time to sort through the old ones and make space. Start by gathering all the toys in one place—yes, all of them. This helps you see what you’re dealing with. Look for broken, missing pieces or toys that are no longer used. If something hasn’t been played with in months, it might be time to let it go.
Set Limits
The key to managing the amount of toys is deciding what fits your child’s needs and the space you have available. Think about how much space you have and the number of toys your child needs. A good rule of thumb is to keep only what fits comfortably in your storage areas. Setting limits helps you control the clutter and creates a calmer play environment for your child.
Get Your Kids Involved
Even younger children can help! Ask simple questions like, “Which toys do you love the most?” or “Can we give this to another child who needs it?” It’s a great way to teach kindness and make them feel included.
Create Donation Bins
Keep a box or bin handy for kids’ toys to donate. Explain to your child where their old toys will go, like a charity or another family. Making this a regular habit keeps things manageable and teaches your little one about giving back.
These simple steps will make a big difference—and you might feel a little lighter as the clutter clears!
Related: Early Learning Toys
Cleaning Up: Establishing Daily Habits
Once you’ve purged the extra toys, the next step is to create a system that makes daily cleanup easy and manageable. With a little planning, you can turn tidying up into a simple routine that works for you and your child. The key is to keep things clear, consistent, and kid-friendly.
Simplify with Categories
Organize children’s toys according to the types of toys, like stuffed animals, blocks, or puzzles, so everything has its place and cleanup is faster. This helps everything have a “home,” so cleanup feels less overwhelming. Use small bins, baskets, or boxes to keep each category separate. It’s much easier for kids (and parents!) to put things away when they know where they belong.
Set a Routine
Build cleanup into your daily schedule, like before naps or bedtime. Toddlers love routines, and knowing cleanup is just part of the day can make it less of a struggle. You could make it fun by playing music or turning it into a race.
Use Visual Cues
Label storage bins with pictures or simple words. For example, a picture of blocks on the block bin helps young children know where to put things. You can draw the images yourself or find printable labels online. Clear instructions make it easier for kids to pitch in.
These habits won’t just keep your space tidy but also help your little one learn responsibility and feel proud of their efforts!
Organizing: Finding Storage Solutions That Work
Once you’ve purged and created cleanup routines, it’s time to figure out where everything goes. Innovative storage solutions make a massive difference in controlling toys while giving kids easy access. Here are a few ideas to try:
Go Vertical
Think beyond the floor! Shelves, wall-mounted bins, or hanging organizers are perfect for freeing up space while keeping toys visible. Use floating shelves for books or small toys, or try a shoe organizer on the back of a door for lightweight items like dolls or action figures. It’s the best way to make the most of small spaces.
Rotate Toys
If your child has too many toys to manage at once, store some out of sight and swap them every few weeks. Toy rotation keeps things feeling new and exciting while reducing clutter. A simple storage bin or tote in the closet can hold the “on-break” toys until it’s time to return them.
Invest in Kid-Friendly Storage
Choose storage options that are easy for little hands to use. Low shelves, clear bins, or labeled baskets make it simple for toddlers to find what they want—and put it back when they’re done. Storage doesn’t have to be expensive; even repurposed containers can work perfectly!
Related: Astronaut Toys for Toddlers
Maintaining the System
Organizing your toys isn’t a one-and-done project—it’s an ongoing process. The good news is that a little maintenance goes a long way! Here’s how to keep your system working:
Schedule Regular Check-Ins
Every few months, look at the toys and storage to see what’s working and what isn’t. Are there items your child has outgrown or lost interest in? Set aside time to declutter toys before they pile up again. Clearing things out regularly keeps your system manageable and prevents the return of the dreaded clutter. A little effort goes a long way!
Be Realistic
Don’t stress about creating a picture-perfect play area. Focus on functionality and what works for your family. If toys occasionally end up on the floor, that’s okay—your goal is progress, not perfection.
FAQs About Organizing Toys
Start small by donating just a few toys and explaining how they’ll help another child. Let them pick their favorites to keep, or try setting unwanted toys aside to see if they’re missed before donating.
Keep toys your child actually uses, encourages creativity, or fits their age. Let go of broken, outgrown, or duplicate toys to make space for what matters.
Set a limit: for every new toy that comes in, let one go. Stick to a wishlist for gifts and declutter regularly to keep things manageable.
Taming toy clutter can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it’s doable. By purging, cleaning up, and finding innovative storage solutions, you’ll create a system that works for your family and keeps the chaos at bay.
Remember, it’s about creating a space where your little one can play, learn, and grow—without you tripping over a pile of blocks! Start small by trying one tip today.